This Cake is for the Party

by Sarah Selecky

Thomas Allen

  ~ Review in Halifax Herald, July 2010

Sarah Selecky was in Halifax recently, reading from her new book, This Cake is for the Party, in a small, intimate café on Charles Street. She read a story called How Healthy Are You? Or rather she read part of it. Halfway through, she smiled and closed the book. Enough! The audience sighed audibl.. Book sales were brisk!

Selecky’s stories follow a wonderful collection of characters in the midst of personal dilemmas, crises and tragedies. We watch as defining moments collide with constructed truths.  Lives are altered, never to be the same again.

In Watching Atlas, Greg is resentful as his wife’s friend dumps her 4 year old son on them once again. His wife doesn’t mind, she likes the boy. But Greg becomes more and more uneasy as he attempts to deny his own problematic relationship by focusing on the glaring dysfunction of the boy’s mother. He takes action.

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One Thousand Wax Buddhas builds in intensity as it moves toward what we begin to understand will not be a story book ending. Robin is odd. She sees things others don’t. She “runs so close to the line. She’s more brilliant than most people, and so it’s a challenge for her...Robin sees things differently. It’s her gift.” Selecky’s timing is perfect as she gently pushes her people toward impending disaster.

Short stories are not an easy genre to write. They float in and out of style. In spite of this, we are frequently introduced to new writers through their short collections. We are fortunate indeed that Selecky chose the short story to showcase her talent to the world. Her writing is strong, often understated, witty and always compassionate. This Cake is for the Party is more than dessert - it is a veritable feast!

Sarah Selecky graduated with an MFA in creative writing from UBC. Her stories have been published in several journals, including The Walrus, Geist and the Journey Prize Anthology. She lives in Toronto.